Kenneth Cole REACTION Manhattan Messenger Shoulder Satchel Bag & Backpack

I have purchased several bags by Kenneth Cole Reaction and have found them to always be of fantastic quality, and each has a well-thought-out design for a particular type of use. However, I am writing this review more geared towards the quality of the company rather than being aimed at this specific product (though I like this particular bag and have traveled around the world with it over the last 4 years).When there is ever an issue with a bag, I have always found the company to be responsive in taking care of the problem. Recently, I received a replacement bag for this case that I purchased in 2013 because they deemed the issue to be related to a defect -- free of charge! A second time, Kenneth Cole Reaction replaced a new bag that had small damage marks on the leather. I plan on being a super loyal customer and will never hesitate to buy bags for my own use or gifts. The designs are always good and they stand behind their products.Only a minor issue that I wanted to bring up with this particular model. The bag I got in 2013 had a little secret compartment on the side that was secured with their signature heavy-duty zipper. Not sure what it was for, but I found it VERY useful for my migraine cure, which I place in little vials. Whenever I started to get sick on the plane, I just reached for the compartment, and popped the pills. This compartment is now gone in this model. Now I have to rummage through a larger compartment that contains other items -- not fun when being buffeted around is a turbulent sky on the verge of a a debilitating migraine attack. Aside from this minor issue, I am pleased with this product.Thanks, Kenneth Cole Reaction! I highly recommend your products!

Excellent. Previously had one of the heritage faux leather bags that served me well for years. Had a canvas one with Swiss army logo prior (can’t remember the brand name) which worked well too. This puts them all to shame. The real leather just feels great when I hold and open it. The zippers are much more hearty/weighty. I weirdly now enjoy picking it up , putting on the desk and taking files in and out each day. There are two sizes; bought the larger one and was a little concerned initially as it comes with packing paper to expand it. However - take that away and it collapses nicely. 95% of the time don’t need that extra space and it’s more than fine - looks thin. But when you need it - it’s there. Definitely 5-star. As long as they keep making this I’ll not switch.

Let me first say that I purchased this bag back in 2012. I was sitting at work today, looked at my bag, and had this eureka moment that this bag is one tough S.O.B. This has been my daily work bag and travel companion for over 5 years. It has been all over the globe with me, literally. To the hot and wet climate in Jamaica, to twenty below in Canada, and everywhere in between. This is embarrassing to say but I just oiled it for the first time this past weekend. It looks brand new and made me fall in love with it all over again. I have done literally no up-keep, or oiling besides what I just put on it. There was a "wear" mark where it's rubbed on me over the years, but the oil/beeswax I just put on took care of it. None of the stitching has come undone. I would definitely buy again, and highly recommend this bag,

My previous bag was a Kenneth Cole single gusset bag, before that Kenneth Cole two gusset, then before that Tumi. The Kenneth Coles have lasted about 3 - 4 years each. Tumi lasted 10. I carry an ultrabook, ipad, two notepads, lots of cables, cords, extra external drives.My requirements were brown, natural leather, must have laptop protection, must be zipper top (not messenger) and MUST have roll-aboard strap. I considered lots and lots of options, some were okay like Katee and others, but they didn'tt have roll-aboard straps (this is the strap on the back that holds your bag to the handle of you roll-aboard luggage, a critical item for travelers). I wanted something that would be more appropriate for an ultrabook, but I don't think that market has hit bags yet, or at least the non-messenger bags.Okay, this is kind of weird, but Samsonite, Wilson's leather and Kenneth Cole have the same identical Columbian Leather bag. Prices vary by the hundreds of dollars but all ultimately are on sale for about $150. Each has their own branding.Awesome materials, the Columbian leather with off-color stitching is eye-catching, it is soft and very comfortable. However, it is very very large. This laptop bag is for those few still carrying large'ish laptops as well as lots of papers, folders, magazines and books. Or better yet, perfect if you are the two-laptop type (but I'd go with a backpack in that case). I carry ultrabooks and thought based upon description it might work, but this bag just swallowed it - I was rooting around in this cavern looking for my laptop.Only quality issue is the strap, it is canvas/nylon, I guess gone are the days of good KC leather straps, the kind that are padded and offset. This strap will need to be replaced as it has almost no padding.End of the day, the bag was too large so I returned it. What did I get? Remember the Wilson's Leather and Samsonite, well turns out the Samsonite is only two gusset (means two zippers) while KC and Wilson's Leather are three gusset, so it is somewhat thinner, and also about 1/2 inch narrower. Exact same look, but less bag. Downside is KC has lifetime warranty, Samsonite 3-year.Good luck